The complete Chinese GP review

An all-Mercedes front row, a Sauber on row two, and the champion not even in Q3... AUTOSPORT takes you through the key events so far on an intriguing weekend at Shanghai

PRACTICE

Practice one – Friday am

The session started with every team eager to evaluate the various performance tweaks and aerodynamic upgrades that have rolled off the production line over the three weeks since the Malaysian Grand Prix. Unfortunately, overnight rain ensured that it was a slow start to the session and after around half an hour only nine drivers had posted serious lap times as the track dried up.

Mark Webber was fastest when the rain returned and forced the disappointed teams to switch back to intermediate rubber. It wasn't until the final 10 minutes that conditions were dry enough for slicks, and even then the track was far from perfect for the untreaded rubber, leading to a flurry of drivers posting their best times late on.